West Seattle food: Swinery Deli in the works for The Junction

(Gabriel Claycamp demonstrating pork-butchering in Port Orchard; 2008 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
One month ago, we shared the report that The Swinery — Culinary Communion founder Gabriel Claycamp‘s cured-meat business, closed on Beacon Hill – was planning to take over space in West Seattle. Now, a multitude of WSBers have shared e-mail from Claycamp that not only has more details about the originally reported West Seattle space, but also about plans to sell their products retail in The Junction – here’s the excerpt:

The Swinery Deli (The Swine Shop?)
The rumors are true. The Swinery is about to open an official retail establishment in West Seattle. This will be a full-service delicatessen (in the style of DeLaurenti’s, but smaller). We will carry cured meats from our friends around the sound and include a FULL butcher shop, as well as truly incredible cheeses that you don’t see anywhere else. We will have some dry goods, plus plenty of the hard to find deli items. This will be a delicatessen for foodies—for CC type foodies, who would everyday ask us where to buy veal bones, or salt cod, or bocarones. We hope to open this summer. Culinary Communion will have a little play here too: The Swinery Deli will feature a computer and printer running the complete CC database of recipes and curriculum. Now, when you ask about oxtails or mahi mahi, you can choose from a selection of real recipes, tested and proven. This has never been done before, truly turning a retail store into an educational cooking experience.

Where is it?
For 7 years people asked the Chefs at CC where their favorite fish store was. Without a doubt, our first response was always: Seattle Fish Company in West Seattle (California Ave, just north of the Junction). Owner Hobey Grote carries, we believe, the most amazing fish in Seattle at the best price. Only one little oddity, Seattle Fish has a huge amount of empty space in the front of its store… perfect to house an amazing deli/butcher. The deal isn’t finalized yet, but Hobey has told us to go ahead and tell people. Please, if you are in the area, come down, say hi to Hobey and crew, and buy some fish to show your support for this incredible opportunity for all of us!! The combination of amazing seafood, incredible meats and cheeses, and great wine will be a treasure for West Seattle and the whole Puget Sound.

If you haven’t been to Seattle Fish Company, it’s on the west side of California SW, north of SW Oregon.

(photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Claycamp and his family, meantime, have moved to Vashon Island. They originally started in West Seattle, then moved to Beacon Hill, but lost their lease there shortly after a permit controversy and – according to their e-mail – are currently in a legal fight over how that ended. Their other new endeavor, which has been reported elsewhere – teaming with Skillet Street Food‘s Josh Henderson to come up with a “street food fair” starting later this year.

LoHo June 12, 2009 (7:10 am)

This is great news and even better location. W. Seattle needs this. Glad Gabriel is coming back. Now we just need him to open a donut shop.

Dreamland June 12, 2009 (7:46 am)

Excellent!! Seattle in general needs more places like this. And meat and fish aside, we need more small sources for great cheese selections. That’s the thing I miss the most about SF, the numerous small outfits like this. Seattle does not have as many. Bring ’em on!

Meghan June 12, 2009 (7:54 am)

Wow! How exciting! What a great combination. I believe it’ll be a huge success.

Cheryl June 12, 2009 (8:25 am)

Oh my goodness, why can’t they already be open? Just reading about it makes me hungry!

Foodietoo June 12, 2009 (8:39 am)

Great idea! Gives me another reason to go to the Fish Market!

Shofar Nulu June 12, 2009 (8:48 am)

Anything kosher?

JBL June 12, 2009 (10:22 am)

Awesome! The Swinery bacon rules. West Seattle has been due for something like this for a long time.
I was waiting for the Whole Foods to fill the void… but now we’ll have it all here; world class pastry & bread shop, organic brewery, farmer’s market with fantastic produce, fresh sausage & fish & meat shop.
Who needs Whole Foods? Not us.

PamL June 12, 2009 (10:38 am)

I’m delighted to see Gabe coming to West Seattle. I spent a delightful Saturday afternoon last year learning how to make fresh cheeses at CC. We were lucky enough to sample some of his cured meats, which were spectacular. The Seattle Fish Company is a great location. We almost have it all. OK, I’d still like to see Trader Joe’s hanging out here too.

WSMom June 12, 2009 (10:44 am)

YEA!!! I emailed this suggestion over a year ago!! I’m thrilled that we’ll get a real butcher in West Seattle!!

Alexis June 12, 2009 (10:55 am)

Fabulous. I can’t wait. Oh how I miss the bacon. I can’t think of a better combination. Fish & Meat. One stop shop. Get it opened folks. I am there.

DW June 12, 2009 (11:22 am)

It would be better for the economy if they got their own storefront.

cjboffoli June 12, 2009 (12:19 pm)

Very excited to try Gabe’s new venture. His charcuterie is absolutely delicious.
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I wonder if now that that location will have a prepared food license if it means the Seattle Fish Company will finally be able to open oysters for its customers.

Kara June 12, 2009 (12:20 pm)

I love how West Seattle keeps getting better in the quality of shops yet holding on to the integrity that West Seattle to me is famous for. More and more I find moving back to West Seattle after living in Ballard has become so worth it. West Seattle never stop fighting for what you truly want, work to keep the neighborhood the way you want it. I promise it makes a difference.